Denver, Colorado Project
Lead Mentor: Marcy Becker
Project location: Denver, Colorado
Year project founded: 2017, by Heather Sees
Mentors on this team: 30
Children mentored to date: 61
Children to be mentored in 2025: 12
Local foster care partners: Denver Children’s Home, Department of Health and Welfare
Local companies that support this project: High Plains Drifters, Fishpond, Schwab Charitable. Currently searching for more community partners to sponsor our local kids!
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Denver, Colorado Project
We get to show our kids that we care–that we will invest the time and effort to get to learn with them, and that our rivers and lakes are for them, not just a privileged few.
Project Mentors
MARCY BECKER, LEAD MENTOR
Arvada, Colorado
Marcy was raised in the foothills of Colorado outside of Denver and has lived in Colorado most of her life. Her great uncle taught her to fish as a young child, and she began fly fishing about 20 years ago. While small mountain trout streams are a favorite, she is content fishing anywhere. In 2016, she attended Fly Fishing Guide School in Avon, Colorado. Marcy loves the Colorado outdoors, including running, hiking, triathlon, and camping. She lives outside of Denver with her husband and small poodle. Marcy was a mentor for The Mayfly Project in 2021, and it was the absolute highlight of her summer. Marcy is excited work with the excellent mentor team in Denver, and grateful to serve as the lead mentor for the project.
STEVE NAGY, MENTOR
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Steve is a native of Ohio, where he spent every free minute of his childhood fishing local rivers and streams. After finishing his education, Steve fell in love with the mountains and moved to Colorado in 2007. He learned to fly fish through the generosity of many kind and interesting people, many of them strangers. Steve makes his living as an attorney in Denver. He is a husband and father of two adventurous kids and his fishing buddy Drake – a black lab. Steve spends as much time as possible fishing throughout Colorado and the west, camping, and exploring with his family. He is also an avid fly tier. Fly fishing has been an incredibly positive force in Steve’s life, and he is looking forward to sharing through his role as a Mayfly Project lead mentor.
JANE RETHERFORD, MENTOR
Aurora, Colorado
Jane grew up fishing for salmon at the mouth of the Columbia River, and fishing for trout in the lakes and streams of Washington State. As a retiree, she returned to Colorado and started fly fishing in 2015. Although new to the sport of fly fishing, she ties and casts both western and eastern (tenkara) style bugs. As a mother of two (now adult) children, she is eager to mentor foster children in the joys of the great outdoors. Jane has been a great support to our Colorado project since 2017!
CHRIS PICKETT, MENTOR
Arvada, Colorado
Chris is a Colorado native and grew up wading streams and flipping lures with his dad throughout the US. He started fly fishing while getting his engineering degree at Colorado School of Mines. Whether fishing, playing volleyball, camping, or wheeling in the Jeep, he loves getting to immerse in the beauty that the mountains have to offer. After getting exposed to the foster care system through the adoption of his niece, Chris is extremely excited and thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the Mayfly Project.
LISA LE, MENTOR
Denver, Colorado
Lisa is an Oklahoma native and grew up spinning rod fishing. It wasn’t until her move to Colorado did she pick up fly fishing. She became obsessed from the very moment she picked up a fly rod. She is a pediatric echocardiographer and finds joy in taking care of the pediatric population. She has fished all over Colorado, but especially loves fishing in high alpine lakes or rivers. Her favorite catches are cutthroat and brown trouts. She loves being outdoors and you can find her on the water with her husband and bernedoodle-Traveler. Fly fishing brings peace and serenity to her psyche and she is looking forward to sharing her passion for sport and nature with the younger generation.
JOE ZELL, MENTOR
Denver, Colorado
A St Louis Missouri native, Joe grew up fishing in the nearby Ozarks. After moving to Colorado in the early 90’s, he took up fly fishing and now as he moves into retirement, is spending much more time on the water. Joe is married and has four adult children (two from his first marriage and two step kids). Joe spent the first twenty years of his career in the communications sector and for the last eighteen years has been a venture capitalist, investing in early stage software companies. He loves the outdoors and is excited to be a Mayfly Mentor!
SARAH VERNO, MENTOR
Littleton, Colorado
Born and raised in Colorado, I grew up learning to cast alongside my brother in the front lawn. Our dad, a skilled fisherman, still maintains that our mom was his greatest catch. Together they taught me the values of patience, persistence, compassion, and faithfulness. The rhythms of casting and currents helped me learn to deal with anxiety, to embrace uncertainty, and to confidently approach life with grit and hope. I’m honored to be a mentor this season, and I’m eager to meet more anglers and use my love for fly fishing to positively impact our community.
BRENDT ANDERSON, MENTOR
Broomfield, Colorado
Born and raised in northern Colorado, Brendt is a self-taught fly fisher who has been exploring river systems throughout CO since 2012. Being a participant of many social resource groups as child he is excited for the chance to pay it forward to the next generation. Discovering the rewards of fly fishing was a revelation and he now relishes any opportunity to learn, teach, and recruit anyone curious to the sport. He has lived and fished in several corners of the state but now calls Broomfield home.
FRANCIS PETER, MENTOR
Arvada, Colorado
Francis was born in Ohio where he began cane pole fishing at age 7 for bluegills and bass in local ponds. He has progressed through bait casting, spinning, and now fly fishing for the past 25 years. He has lived in Indiana and New Mexico prior to moving to Colorado in 2014. Traveling around the USA, he has fly fished from Maryland to Washington state and salmon fished in Alaska. For 5 years, he was the Youth Director for New Mexico Trout where he worked with youth to teach fly fishing and other outdoor activities. Francis has 4 special needs adopted grandchildren and more are being fostered by his son and granddaughter. Francis has a passion for teaching fishing and other outdoor skills to youth of any age.
MICHAEL LINDERMAN, MENTOR
Denver, Colorado
Michael grew up in the Midwest and learned to fish for bluegill and bass. He migrated to chasing trout when he moved to Colorado in 2001. He’s recently retired from a career in the technology industry and now finds time to find and fish new waters in the Rocky Mountains. Michael is married and has a son and daughter in college. He enjoys teaching and working with kids in the outdoors and looks forward to a great summer season of mentoring.
STEVE JERMAN, MENTOR
Denver, Colorado
A Colorado native, Steve grew up in the Denver area and currently resides in Colorado Springs. Steve has been fly fishing since 8 years old and has fished numerous waters throughout the state. As a retired teacher, coach, and principal, he has been actively involved with students at the middle and high school level; most recently retiring as a high school football official. Steve has been guiding at The Broadmoor Fly Fishing Camp for the past 8 years working with all ages of guests. He enjoys teaching the art and science of fly fishing with the goal of just having fun and enjoying the outdoor opportunities Colorado offers.
ROBERTO LUCERO, MENTOR
Denver, Colorado
Roberto grew up in California, Arizona and New Mexico. He gained a love for small stream fly fishing and the outdoors from his dad Charlie. Finally getting the opportunity to live closer to the mountains, he moved to Denver in 2023. When he’s not working as a graphic and web designer, he enjoys exploring Colorado rivers, camping and working on classic cars. Being able to share all the knowledge and experiences fly fishing has provided him over the years is a great gift. Through mentoring with Mayfly Denver, he hopes to show kids how fun and challenging this sport can be and hopefully encourage them to start their own fly fishing journey.
TRUONG CHAU, MENTOR
Denver, Colorado
Truong found his passion for fly fishing during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has since become a cherished hobby. Growing up in Colorado, he spent countless hours mountain biking, trail running, and climbing in the Rockies. Fly fishing provides yet another way to immerse himself in and appreciate the breathtaking Rocky Mountain terrain.
Since 2020, Truong has fly fished diverse and picturesque locations such as Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Maryland, and New Zealand. Each destination offers its own unique experience, and he never tires of the stunning scenery and tranquility that comes with each fishing expedition.Truong has served as a mentor throughout his career and is now excited to share his experiences and passion as a mentor with TMP!
Aaron BAGULLY, MENTOR
Denver, Colorado
Originally from Boston and raised in Colorado, Aaron’s passion for fly fishing began in childhood, inspired by his grandfather. After a 30-year hiatus, he rediscovered the joys of the sport as an adult, finding solace in nature and a welcome escape from the stresses of business. Now, Aaron is committed to sharing the therapeutic benefits of fly fishing with others through the Mayfly Project. He believes in the power of mentorship and is dedicated to giving back to his community by introducing young people to the art of fly fishing and the joys of the outdoors.
News & Events
Buy a Fly Fundraiser is Live!!!!!
We're excited to announce our annual Buy a Fly Event is now live! From September 29th to October 31st, purchase a fly/flies and you're entered to win awesome prizes! All proceeds go towards supporting TMP getting more youth in foster care into the healing sport...
Mentor Highlight Nomination, Pamela Allen
Three Cheers for Pamela Allen! We were thrilled to receive a mentor highlight nomination for Pamela because we couldn't agree more with the kind words stated below. Pam has been with TMP for 3 years as a Lead Mentor, leading the Columbus, Ohio Project, and 1 year as a...
In Memory of Addison!
TMP was so honored to be chosen as the recipient again of the Hanf family's Annual Golf Tournament in memory of their beloved son, Addison. Addison is described as someone who loved helping others and truly enjoyed his time outdoors. We are honored to be a part of his...
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Denver, Colorado Project
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